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MEA summons Iranian envoy after Indian-flagged tankers shot at near Strait of Hormuz
The UK Navy reported on Saturday that Iranian gunboats fired at some ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador to India to lodge a formal protest after two Indian-flagged tankers were fired at by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, say people familiar with the matter.
The Iranian envoy, Dr Mohammad Fathali, was summoned by the MEA for a meeting at 6:30 PM. He met the MEA joint secretary for the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran desk.
“The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi was called in by the Ministry of External Affairs for a meeting with Foreign Secretary this evening. During the meeting, Foreign Secretary conveyed India’s deep concern at the shooting incident earlier today involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners and recalled that Iran had earlier facilitated the safe passage of several ships bound for India. Reiterating his concern at this serious incident of firing on merchant ships, Foreign Secretary urged the Ambassador to convey India’s views to the authorities in Iran and resume at the earliest the process of facilitating India-bound ships across the Strait,” MEA said in a statement.
“The Ambassador of Iran undertook to convey these views to the Iranian authorities,” the ministry added.
Two large Indian crude oil tankers carrying a few million barrels of Iraqi oil were on Saturday fired upon by the Iranian Navy north of Oman, people aware of the matter said, shortly after reports came in that two Indian ships were forced to turn back from the Strait of Hormuz.
Two vessels, Jag Arnav and Sanmar Herald, were involved in the incident. Indian officials are trying to ascertain what may have prompted the attack.
The Indian Navy is trying to ascertain details of the incident, as there is no Indian Navy ship in the Straits of Hormuz, they added. India has two destroyers, one frigate and one tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
The conflict on Strait of Hormuz intensifies
The UK Navy reported on Saturday that Iranian gunboats fired at some ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Some merchant vessels received radio messages from Iran's navy stating that the strait was shut again and that no ships were allowed to pass, Reuters reported, citing shipping sources.
Ship-tracking data showed five vessels loaded with liquefied natural gas from Ras Laffan in Qatar approaching the strait on Saturday morning.
Hundreds of ships have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran started on February 28, and Tehran closed the strait, forcing Gulf oil and gas producers to sharply cut production.
Iran had announced its temporary reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, following a separate US-brokered 10-day ceasefire agreement on Thursday between Israel and Lebanon.
Maritime trackers even showed a convoy of eight tankers transiting the strait in the first major movement of ships since the US-Israeli war on Iran began seven weeks ago.
US President Donald Trump on Friday cited "some pretty good news" about Iran, declining to elaborate. But he also said fighting might resume without a peace deal by Wednesday, when a two-week ceasefire expires. And Trump said that the US blockade of the Iranian ports would continue till a deal is reached with Tehran.
Hours after that on Saturday, Iran's armed forces command said transit through the strait had reverted to a state of strict Iranian military control, citing what it described as repeated UA violations and acts of “piracy” under the guise of a blockade.
Some vessels reported that Iran's navy had been broadcasting a VHF message saying the Strait of Hormuz was closed again.
"Attention all ships, regarding the failure of the US government to fulfil its commitment in the negotiation, Iran declares the Strait of Hormuz completely closed again. No vessel of any type or nationality is allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz," the radio message said.
The military spokesperson said Iran had earlier agreed, “in good faith,” to the managed passage of a limited number of oil tankers and commercial vessels following negotiations, but said continued US actions had forced Tehran to restore tighter controls on shipping through the strategic chokepoint.
